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Decision on PhilHealth abolition is President's prerogative --- DOH

Philippines | National

Decision on PhilHealth abolition is President's prerogative --- DOH

By Analou de Vera

The President of the country has the "prerogative" to abolish the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which is currently under investigation for alleged irregularities, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire — Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)

“Ang ating Pangulo ng Pilipinas ay meron namang ganyang prerogative base sa ebidensyang hinahain sa kanya, kung sa tingin niya ipa-privatize o tatanggalin, ito ay kanyang magiging desisyon base sa ebidensyang ibinigay sa kanya ,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online forum.

Vergeire made the statement when asked for the DOH’s reaction to the proposal of President Duterte to abolish the state-health insurer.

If PhilHealth will be abolished, Vergeire assured that the government will develop a mechanism to help Filipinos with their healthcare expenses.

“Hindi naman papayag ang gobyerno na hindi natin pupunan kung ano man ang magiging kakulangan natin, kapag nangyari itong balak o pronouncement na ito ng ating presidente, para hindi naman din magkaroon ng financial hardship ang ating mga kababayan ,” said Vergeire.

The Health official said that PhilHealth was established to provide “accessible and acceptable” healthcare services to Filipinos.

“Alam naman natin na marami talaga ang hindi nakaka-access sa mga healthcare services because of financial reasons. So, yun ung pangunahing objective kung bakit nandyan ang Philhealth ,” she said.

Vergeire said that for now, they will just wait for the results of the study being conducted by the Office of the President on what will be the fate of PhilHealth.

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